Travis Simkins - SUU Faculty

Dr. Travis Simkins

Assistant Professor

"One of the most important learning objectives of my courses is for students to gain an understanding and appreciation of various facets of the human consumption experience."

Degrees Held:

  • Ph.D. in Management and Marketing – The University of Wyoming, 2017
  • MBA in International Management – The Thunderbird School of Global Management, 2004
  • B.A. in Psychology – Weber State University, 2001
  • A.A. in Psychology and Spanish – Ricks College, 1999

Career Highlights:

  • Attained the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification, the most important industry-recognized certification for project managers
  • Engaged in consulting, professional development and executive education courses for industry professionals, academics, government entities and small business owners to introduce them to practical application of project management principles
  • Built, operated and owned a 25,000-square-foot bowling facility, two-screen movie theater complex, cafe and proprietary pizza franchise in rural Wyoming
  • Traveled extensively throughout Mexico and the United States as a product manager for a Fortune 500 global logistics and freight forwarding company
  • Coordinated over 1500 FTL and LTL shipments each month both in and out of Mexico.
  • Managed, motivated, developed and administered a department of native Hispanic customer service representatives
  • Worked as a replenishment analyst/logistics coordinator for a supplier of Walmart
  • Procured various commodities throughout North, Central and South America for the daily product requirements of nearly 600 Walmart Supercenters and Sam’s Clubs throughout the United States

In which online degree program do you teach?

  • What do you want students in your courses to learn? What is the learning outcome or objective?

    One of the most important learning objectives of my courses is for students to gain an understanding and appreciation of various facets of the human consumption experience. I believe it is from this "human" element that we begin to recognize what really constitutes "value," and it is this conceptualization of value that marketing specifically examines that makes it so exciting and separates it from other fields of study.

  • What advice would you give to those considering the online MBA – Marketing Emphasis program?

    Learn for understanding rather than just to take a test or finish an assignment. Always look for the practical applications of what you are learning; if you cannot apply what you are learning to the real world, it is of little value. Do not get behind in coursework.

    Consistent effort over the long run will produce better, longer lasting and more meaningful results than trying to get things done 10 minutes before it is due.

  • What qualities make someone particularly successful in marketing?

    -Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills

    -Strong overall communication skills

    -An ability to understand buyer needs and the sales process

    -Excellent writing skills and the ability to tell a story

    -Desire to continuously learn

    -Strong interpersonal skills

    -Organizational ability

  • What do you think is the biggest challenge that people in marketing face today?

    I think one of the biggest challenges that people face when entering the field of marketing today is oftentimes making the transition from being told exactly what to do and how to do it, to being presented with ambiguous and difficult problems/situations and being told to produce results.

  • What is the one book you think everyone should read?

    Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

  • Tell us something interesting about yourself that your students might not know about you.

    Listening to 80's hard rock and heavy metal puts me in my happy place.

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